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The demand for librarians is expected to increase 6 percent by 2028 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’re looking for a role in this stable field, you need a cover letter that highlights your skills in organization, data science and computers. Use a librarian cover letter sample and Hloom’s professional writing tips to create a cover letter that impresses employers and lands you the interview.

Sections of a Librarian Cover Letter

The most common sections you’ll see on a cover letter include:

Cover Letter Sections

Include your personal contact information, the date and the employer’s address, which can usually be found in the job posting. For librarian jobs, the employer’s address is most often the school or library where the position is available.



    The greeting of your librarian cover letter should include a title — Mr., Mrs. or Ms. — and the hiring manager’s last name, which you can usually find in the job posting. As you can see in the above example, Brenda did her homework and addressed the letter to Shannon Reed. This resonates with employers.



      For this section, take the traditional approach and introduce yourself while expressing your interest in the position. Describe your most valuable skills as a librarian. Or, as Brenda does in the example, give the sense of your alignment with the employers goals and needs.



        The body of your cover letter is the longest section, typically three to four concise sentences. Include the degree(s) you hold, as most librarian jobs require a master’s degree. Mention any state certifications or certificates you have earned. Also, take note in the above example how Brenda cites numerics like her percent increase in the libraries collection to give a concrete sense of what she’s accomplished.



          Conclude your librarian cover letter by thanking the employer for their time. Include a call to action that invites the library to contact you.



            Finish with a classic “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” Sign your name by hand if you’re sending hard copies in the mail, or provide your typed name if it’s being submitted electronically.



              Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

              Use active words and phrases relevant to librarian jobs to ensure you stand out from the wide pool of applicants. They will help capture your reader’s attention and bring your cover letter to life. Some suggestions for words to use are listed below:

              Design: Part of your job as a librarian may be to design engaging displays or programs for patrons, encouraging them to explore a new author or genre.

              Participate:This could be used in reference to participating in community outreach activities.

              Implement This verb could refer to the implementation of library services for customers of all ages seeking library materials.

              Provide: A librarian often provides reference assistance and advice while sitting at the reference desk or roaming the library shelves.

              Teach/Prepare::If the job is as a school librarian, you may be expected to teach classes and prepare lesson plans for different age groups.

              Importance of Using Librarian Job-related Keywords

              When crafting your librarian cover letter and resume using Hloom’s collection of librarian cover letter samples, start with the action verbs mentioned above to create job-related keywords and phrases.

              This is important to do because many larger school districts, cities and libraries use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter out more qualified applicants from the less qualified. These systems scan cover letters and resumes looking for specific keywords and phrases, such as assist with inventory, perform library clerical tasks and provide reference assistance.

              Include these phrases and keywords, and use the librarian cover letter example to help you stand out from the wide pool of applicants. A good way to know what the sought-after keywords might be is to study the exact language of the job posting and echo back the most sought-after skills in your letter

              For a librarian cover letter, that might look something like:

              “I implemented e-technology in a library setting and helped streamline the library website at Davies University. In that role, I also developed strategies for teaching best research practices to students.”

              Build a Cover Letter

              Match Your Librarian Cover Letter to a Resume

              When you write your cover letter using a librarian cover letter sample to help, you have an opportunity to highlight the content in your resume. Think of your resume as the bare bones that give your work history and qualifications structure. Your cover letter is your chance to expand upon your resume by adding color and character to your work experience. Turn the details in your resume into a story on your cover letter.


              Additional Education Cover Letters

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